Last week, Nisa and I went to Toruń for our mid-term training as ESC volunteers. This trip was not just about learning and reflection but also about exploring a new city, meeting amazing people, and experiencing Polish culture.

First Impressions & Getting to Know Each Other – Monday

We arrived in Toruń on Monday and, in the evening, we had the opportunity to meet the other participants. To break the ice, we went for a walk around the city for an hour and a half, getting to know one another while enjoying the historic streets and stunning architecture of Toruń. Earlier in the afternoon, before the official program began, we had some free time to explore on our own. We alongside our roommate Laurine wandered around the city.

First training day – Tuesday

We began the morning splitting the whole group in small teams. Every group had to find the statue or building of a legend from Toruń and asked the locals about the story. After that, we had to perform the legend to the rest of volunteers. The afternoon was the time to reflect on our ESC volunteer experiences. It was a nice opportunity to revisit our journey focusing on our personal growth and meaningful moments.

Discovering Toruń and the Youthpass – Wednesday

In small teams, we explored some of the city’s most fascinating museums, learning about Toruń history and culture. We visited the House under the Star, the art museum and Toni Halik’s trip museum. In the afternoon we discussed the Youthpass, an essential tool for recognizing and documenting our learning experiences during our volunteering project. We talked about our aptitudes, skills, experiences etc.

Challenges, Traditions, and Future Aspirations – Thursday

We started the day discussing about the challenges that we face as volunteers, how to deal with them and we offered and received advice from the rest of us. After that, we visited the Ethnographic Museum, where we learned about the Polish rural life and traditions. Some of us dressed up with Polish traditional dresses, we got the chance to perform wedding music and we did some traditional crafting for the windows. In the afternoon, we reflected on our values and future opportunities. They encouraged us to think about our goals and aspirations after our ESC program finishes.

Last day – Friday

The final day centered on well-being and strategies to maintain a healthy balance in our personal and volunteering lives. This session was a great way to wrap up our training with a focus on self-care and resilience. It was also the day to say goodbye to the amazing people we met.

Reflections

Our mid-term training in Toruń was an incredibly experience. It was amazing to explore the city’s medieval charm and rich culture while also meeting fantastic people, making every moment of the trip count.

As ESC volunteers, experiences like these highlight our volunteering journey. Toruń will always be a special place for us — a city where we grew as individuals and built stronger bonds with other volunteers.

Article by  Anna,

European Solidarity Corps volunteer.

Mid-term training by European Solidarity Corps volunteer from 09/04/2025.